We believe that the
phenomena of Nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite
Intelligence.
We affirm that a
correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith, constitute
true religion.
We affirm that the
existence and personal identity of the the individual continue after the change called
death.
We affirm that
communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of
Spiritualism.
We believe that the
highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
We affirm the moral
responsibility of individuals, and that we make our own happiness or unhappiness as we
obey or disobey Nature’s physical and spiritual laws.
We affirm that the
doorway to reformation is never closed against any soul here or hereafter.
We affirm that the
precepts of Prophecy and Healing are Divine attributes proven through Mediumship.
Principles 1-6 adopted in Chicago,
Illinois, 1899
Principles 7-8 adopted in Rochester, New York, 1909
Principle 9 adopted in St. Louis, Missouri, 1944
Principle 9 revised in Oklahoma City, 1983
Principle 9 revised in Westfield, New Jersey, 1998
Principle 8 revised in Rochester, New York, 2001
By this we express our belief in a
supreme Impersonal Power, everywhere present, manifesting as life, through all forms of
organized matter, called by some, God, by others, Spirit and by Spiritualists, Infinite
Intelligence.
In this manner we express
our belief in the immanence of Spirit and that all forms of life are manifestations of
Spirit or Infinite Intelligence, and thus that all men are children of God.
A correct understanding of
the laws of nature on the physical, mental and spiritual planes of life and living in
accordance therewith will unfold the highest aspirations and attributes of the Soul, which
is the correct function of True Religion.
"Life here and life
hereafter is all one life whose continuity of consciousness is unbroken by that mere
change in form whose process we call death." Lilian Whiting.
This precept we believe to
be true. It points the way to harmony, peace and happiness. Wherever tried it has proven
successful and when fully understood and practiced, will bring peace and happiness to man
on earth.
Man himself is responsible
for the welfare of the world in which he lives; for its welfare or its misery, for its
happiness or unhappiness and if he is to obtain Heaven upon Earth, he must learn to make
that heaven, for himself and for others. Individually, man is responsible for his own
spiritual growth and welfare. Sins and wrong-doing must be outgrown and overcome. Virtue
and love of good must take their place. Spiritual growth and advancement must be attained
by aspiration and personal striving. Vicarious atonement has no place in the philosophy of
Spiritualism. Each one must carry his own cross to Calvary's Heights in the overcoming of
wrong-doing and replacing them with the right.
We discard entirely the terrible wrong
and illogical teachings of eternal damnation and in place thereof we accept and present
for consideration of thinking people the thought of the continuity of life beyond the
change called death. A natural life, where the opportunity for growth and progress to better,
higher and more spiritual conditions are open to all, even as they are here on the earth
plane of life. We accept no such teaching as a "Hell Fire," but we do teach that
sin and wrong-doing will necessarily bring remorse and suffering that would be difficult
to describe in words and which can only be relieved by the individual's own efforts if not
here, then in the hereafter. If we make our own lives better while here and that of our
neighbors happier we shall unfold that happiness or heaven on earth which we shall carry
with us into the Spirit World.
We thus affirm our belief in and
acceptance of the truths and assertions that Prophecy and Mediumship are not unique nor of recent
occurrence alone, but they are universal everlasting and have been witnessed and observed
in all ages of the world.
